What happens when a real story of survival is “combined” with the characteristics of one of the most popular television series of the last twenty years on the same topic?

How can a nightmarish incident like the 1972 Andes plane crash be brought to the small screen with elements of fantasy and even appeal to a younger audience?

Drawing inspiration from a horror story filmed in 1993 called “Survivors”, combined with the gripping atmosphere of an epic series. “Lost” (2006-2010), “Yellow Vests” is a new American television craze designed to successfully present the story of New Jersey women’s soccer team survivors of their plane crash in the far north. To survive, they gradually turn into savages.

The Showtime network series (in Greece it is shown by Cosmote TV) is something fresh by the standards of modern television and after the first season it develops into a mass phenomenon. It received seven Emmy Award nominations, including for starring Melanie Lynskey and Christina Ricci as adults Sona and Misty, and was recognized in the leading actress and supporting actress categories, respectively.

Richie’s addition was especially fitting since, despite playing a modern-day Misty, she began her acting career as a child prodigy in the 1990s, becoming famous for her roles in the family films The Addams Family and Casper. Lynskey’s career also began in the same decade when she played Hillary in the 1999 cult comedy But I’m a Cheerleader.

The script takes inspiration from the 1972 Andean plane crash, only here the survivors are not members of the men’s rugby team, but of the women’s football team.

In addition to Richie and Lynskey, the cast included Juliet Lewis (adult Nat), Tony Cypress (adult Tessa), Sophie Nellis, Sophie Thatcher, Samantha Hanratty and Jasmine Savoy Brown (teenage Tessa). Elijah Wood (Walter) also appears in a surprise role.

The main events of the story take place in 1996, when such music as “Today” by The Smashing Pumpkins, “This Is How We Do It” by Model Jordan and “Come Out And Play” by The Offspring dominate.

One of the things that sets Yellow Vests apart from the rest of the content on the networks and streaming platforms is that the story doesn’t fit into any one genre. Creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson dared and succeeded in convincingly conveying elements of teen drama and horror/thriller, playing on the striking similarities between the two genres and balancing them in a coming-of-age story. As such, they offered a thoughtful portrayal of how different characters are formed as a result of such experiences.

The almost all-female cast of The Yellow Vests is back for a darker and more gruesome sequel. Continuing in the same pattern as in the first 10 episodes, the plot moves back and forth following the heroines to the present day. We soon discover that the secrets of the past still haunt them, and their spiritual scars remain indelible.

Season 2 has a new character hierarchy, unexpected additions to the cast, and plenty of conspiracy theories to unravel. For example, what happened to Sona’s baby, does Jeff know the secret of cannibalism, and what’s going on with Lottie’s current cult.

“Terror makes us feel better about our lives”

But what makes viewers love such series in which different plots coexist? Speaking at an international press conference featuring K, Juliette Lewis responds, “I think the mix of genres makes them really special,” while Tony Cypress adds that “horror is also a fantasy genre, and when the world falls apart into parts.” we all need a little imagination.” To the same question, Simone Kessel (Charlotte/Lottie) added, “I think it makes us feel better about our lives.”

The Yellow Vests remind us strongly that women’s solidarity is business-like, more about survival than support. “I think the show is popular because you can identify with someone in such a big cast. There is something for everyone. We’re so grateful that we can bring these characters to the screen with accuracy and honesty, which doesn’t happen often, especially since each character is so different,” Kessel said.

The series ended its first season already at number two on Showtime’s most-watched programming list.
in his story.

What do the cast love most about the character they play in the second round of episodes? Lewis that Natalie “is looking for her truth or wants to find a future, while in the first season she tries to kill herself.” Cypress loves Tessa for “how delusional she is, that she thinks she’s a woman with a family that takes care of everything when she’s actually very selfish.” Kessel likes the fact that “I was able to create Lottie and I had to turn around 180 degrees for Lottie 1990 and recreate her. I remember I had four or five costumes to represent her because I like to find my characters by their hair, makeup, costumes and voice. I hear her voice at the end. When I play Lottie, I feel her. It was a great gift.”

According to Showtime, the series ended its first season already ranked second on the network’s list of the most-watched programs of all time. Its ratings quadrupled in its first 10-episode season. The gory drama made nearly 50 year-end best television series lists and won the Writers Guild of America (WGA) awards for Best Drama Series and Best New Series.

Did the actors of The Yellow Vests expect such a huge success and the fanatical audience that they received? “Of course not. How could;” Cypress says. “There are so many series coming out and so much cool content for viewers to see. I thought we did a good job and had fun, but you never know how people will react to it. The fan support for the series is outrageous, almost wild…”, while Lewis emphasized that “the bar is very high”.

The Yellow Vests series is shown every Saturday at 23.00 exclusively on Cosmote TV (Cosmote Series HD). Immediately after the broadcast on the channel, each new episode of the series will be available on demand, for viewing at any time and from any device.